The Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) Index continued its upward momentum on Tuesday, rising by 18.37 points as gains in most sectors lifted the benchmark.

The index climbed 0.70 percent from the previous session to close at 2,619.99 points. On Monday, the market had gained 6.74 points.

Market breadth remained strongly positive, with share prices of 187 companies advancing, while 61 declined and 11 remained unchanged. The broad-based buying supported the overall rise in the index.

Except for the trading group, all sub-indices closed higher. The trading sub-index slipped by 0.52 points. Hotel and tourism led the gains with a jump of 103.13 points, followed by non-life insurance (96.87 points), life insurance (92.07 points) and development banks (83.91 points).

Despite the rise in the index, total turnover fell compared to the previous session. A total of 7.80 million shares were traded through 55,078 transactions, generating a turnover of Rs3.29 billion, down from Rs3.44 billion on Monday.

Swastik Microfinance hit the upper circuit with a 10 per cent rise in its share price. Narayani Development Bank, SY Panel Nepal, Barahi Hydropower Public Limited and Lumbini Development Bank were among the top gainers, while Shweta Ganga Hydropower and Construction and several debenture issues posted losses.